Argentina vs. Slovakia (Aurorus against 821Bobo)

[Aurorus]

Near Borneo, Nells finish off the badly crippled Trump, who was making less than 6 knots.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ketapang at 54,93

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G3M2 Nell x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Witte de With

[Aurorus]

On land, the Japanese take Kuching.

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1512 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Defending force 1410 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Japanese adjusted assault: 49

Allied adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuching !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
703 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

And the units retreating from Kuantan are overrun.

Ground combat at 51,78 (near Kuantan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7069 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 239

Defending force 1637 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Japanese adjusted assault: 153

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
770 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2

[Aurorus]

At Luzon, aerial and artillery bombardments of the allied positions in Manila and Lucena continue. The allies reinforce the position in Manila with the 1st PA division, bringing their total AV in the hex to a little over 400. Latest reports have the Japanse AV in the hex at a little more than 900. The allied division at Lucena shows a little over 100 AV. The Japanese units there are two brigade fragments from the crack 4th brigade, the 8th tank regiment, and the 2nd Recon.

In China, the Japanese come again at Hong Kong, overruning the final British fortifications. Now, the British hold only a 100 m line around the Harbor, but they do not surrender: not even the heavily battered Canadians. A good show of resolve by the Commonwealth forces.

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23757 troops, 333 guns, 188 vehicles, Assault Value = 678

Defending force 5671 troops, 125 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 672

Allied adjusted defense: 341

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 12 (8 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Inf.Group
38th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Army
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
1st Middlesex Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress

North, and Japanese bombers find clear weather to strike units fleeing the central Chinese plain. They also find... Chinese fighters?

Morning Air attack on 13th Chinese Corps, at 86,47 , near Sinyang

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 30
Ki-27b Nate x 13

Allied aircraft
I-15-III x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-15-III: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
341 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

A Japanese division crosses the river south of Loyang and breaks through the Chinese resistance as the pincer movement on Nanyang commences in earnest. It will arrive too late, however, to trap most of the Chinese units as the allies have done a very good job in China getting their units moving and into coherent defensive positions. 821Bobo is putting his extensive experience as a ground forces general to good use.

Ground combat at 87,45 (near Chengchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11586 troops, 102 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 416

Defending force 1450 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Japanese adjusted assault: 580

Allied adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 58 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
567 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

[Aurorus]

Dec. 19th and the Japanese submarine fleet find two more small Dutch tankers on their way to Balikpapan, no doubt, to take remove more fuel and oil.


Submarine attack near Kangean at 59,103

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33

Allied Ships
AO TAN 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

AO TAN 4 is sighted by SS RO-33
SS RO-33 launches 4 torpedoes at AO TAN 4

Submarine attack near Soerabaja at 56,103

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33

Allied Ships
AO TAN 3, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

AO TAN 3 is sighted by SS RO-33
SS RO-33 launches 4 torpedoes at AO TAN 3

The Dutch must be thinking, at this point, that every nautical mile of ocean contains a Japanese submarine. Allied submarines have arrived along the coast of Japan. In the night they found several targets, but failed to make effective attacks. Unfortunately, they will get better.

[Aurorus]

Daylight and the Japanese assault the British and Canadians along the harbor front of Hong Kong. Sallies, Lillies, and Sonias fly in close air support, and the city falls. Tokyo Rose makes her first appearance of the war to announce the bad news to American forces stationed around the Pacific.


Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23656 troops, 333 guns, 188 vehicles, Assault Value = 667

Defending force 5304 troops, 119 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Japanese adjusted assault: 997

Allied adjusted defense: 189

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5653 casualties reported
Squads: 77 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 450 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 163 (163 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 67 (67 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6

Assaulting units:
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division
1st Ind.Inf.Group
66th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
Rifles of Canada Battalion
102nd RN Base Force
Hong Kong Fortress

[Aurorus]

In the Phillipines, aerial and artillery bombardments of Manila and Lucena continue. The Japanese take Butaan on Mindanao, and the allied units on the island of Iloilu are destroyed at Roxas: 1 Phillipines island now cleared completely of allied ground forces.

Ground combat at Butuan (80,89)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1461 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Defending force 998 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Japanese adjusted assault: 21

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Butuan !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Kure 1st SNLF

Defending units:
103rd PA Infantry Regiment

Ground combat at Roxas (79,83)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2739 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Defending force 1748 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Japanese adjusted assault: 65

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Roxas !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
1696 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 131 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
15th Naval Guard Unit
16th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
61st PA Infantry Division
3rd PI Base Force

[Aurorus]

In western Borneo and Malaysia, Japanese Lillies, Anns, and Sonias, strike allied positions at Georgetown. More fighters sweep Singapore, but the allies elect not to fly their Buffalos today. A Japanese amphibious TF lands at Manado in the DEI. Both Japanese CVEs and the British CVL Hermes, flying swordfish, are known to be operating nearby, so the central passage of the DEI appears to be heating up.

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Daylight over Luzon and the Betties shifted their target from the airfields to U.S. armor that had advanced on Cabantuan to assault the Japanese paratroopers who had landed there on Dec. 7th.

Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 80,76 (Cabanatuan)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 30

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 25 (2 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on 194th Tank Battalion, at 80,76 (Cabanatuan)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

The paratroopers withdrew to the dot hex northeast of Cabanatuan that day and did not suffer an attack from the U.S. armor. The clear terrain in Cabanatuan made for a perfect killing field for the Betties and their 250 Kg bomb are capable of piercing the armor on the Grants. The weather cooperated with the Japanese and gave the pilots clear sight lines to their targets.

Now this, i.e. the high casualties rate among the armour, is interesting to me;


20 M-bombers, Betties, which is definitely not a lot for an area bombardment (and the recent discussion in John 3D in his AAR about the supposed inflated effectiveness of high altitude air bomardment in game comes in mind), at a height which is not low (6000 feet = 1650 meters?) - and the Betties are not equipped with Norden sights either,I presume;

most important, the Stuarts/Grants were not queued on a road moving, I guess, but rather deployed in order of battle...therefore, this is ceirtanly an exceptional achievement for the Japanese crews....;

This, regarding the simulation of - non low - bombing in game, said,

in my game experience I met extremely few cases of casualties among: guns, armoured vehicles, trucks, air bombing induced;

I was upset, startled and quite perplexed at this feature; this is stuff that should be the primary target for air strikes, and the most vulnerable and visible as well, times more than infantry who appears being the only recipient of air bombs; actually, I've started suspecting that the casualties among non-combatant troops comprise also those for gun personnell - which would be very good if confirmed, but still this cannot account for 0,05 % "Casualties" among trucks, guns et similia as said;

I think at support bombardemnts against coastal guns for example, in the case when the objective is uber-reconned, firing and ground spotted as well; the objective should be pretty vulnerable - if not conveninently fortified, but still NO results (or extremely rare);



than I see your combat report; I understand the tank unit was the only one in that area; this suggests that casualties-hits are first and foremost related with target selection, i.e. unit selection, reminding also of a recent post by Lowpe in his AAR where he stated that armoured units, in his understanding and experience, tend for any reason to be the last, among the stack of units present in location, being targeted by air bombardment;

but again, even in an infantry unit there are guns and soft vehicles;


- Perplexed -

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Near Borneo, Nells finish off the badly crippled Trump, who was making less than 6 knots.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ketapang at 54,93

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G3M2 Nell x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Witte de With

Tromp, not Trump ******

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Off the coast of Borneo, the CVL Hermes and a screening TF moved into position south of Singkawang during the night, looking for targets. Morning found the Japanese fast BBs at Singkawang, but a storm broke over the western coast of Borneo at daybreak, hampering air operations for both sides. Hermes was able to get off an unescorted strike against the BBs. The strike arrived in the midst of the storm, and Japanese CAP did not spot the approaching torpedo bombers. Alas, for the allies, the storm also affected the torpedo attack.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 56,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

The Japanese TF was caught completely by surprise by the attack, but Nells, ready on the runway, had their own surprise for the Hermes: torpedoes, brought in the night before by a fast transport TF from Saigon. They followed the Swordfish back to Hermes. Unfortunately for the Japanese, the Japanese pilots faired no better than their British counterparts in the poor weather.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ketapang at 54,93

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M2 Nell x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

Ryujo, however, lurking to the east, northeast of Singkawang, just outside allied search patrol range, also launched a follow up strike that found Hermes' screening TF at the edge of the storm.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ketapang at 55,92

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N1 Kate x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Witte de With

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

As the naval air corps of both sides were battling the weather, Japanese troops landed at Kuching under the cover of bombardment by 2 heavy cruisers.

Kudos to Bobo for the courage, aggressivness and skills in the best tradition of the RN!

WOW, amazing. challenging the Japanese superiority in those waters. One would say, as the Argentinians against the British Fleet in the Falklands, 1982[:'(]

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner


WOW, amazing. challenging the Japanese superiority in those waters. One would say, as the Argentinians against the British Fleet in the Falklands, 1982[:'(]

Funny... that is exactly what I was thinking. Unfortunately (well... fortunately... actually for the British seamen... I play wargames but don't want to see real people injured in war... from any nation) the British here proved no more effective than the Argentines in 82. At least, the Argentines scored some hits on the British CVLs at Malvina... the bombs did not explode, however. Bob acknowledged that the air HQ on Singkawang caught him by surprise, just as his attack caught me by surprise. He was expecting, at most, some level bombing attacks... not torpedos... just as I was not expecting torpedos.

[Aurorus]

Dec. 20th 821Bobo had sent in a few night raids on the airfield at Singkawang. Today he decided to change it up a bit and bring his 2 engines from Singapore in the daylight. Zeros were on station and took a toll on the RAF, but the Hudsons and Blenheims did hit the airfield and found Thalias?


Morning Air attack on Singkawang , at 56,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson I bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim I bombing from 9000 feet *

Morning Air attack on Singkawang , at 56,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 6 destroyed

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

What were the airfields at Singkawang doing filled with transport planes? Loading paratroopers for a drop at Praboemoelih. Where is Praboemoelih, you ask? It is the base adjacent to Palembang, on the railline between Palembang and Oosthaven.

Ground combat at Praboemoelih (48,92)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 661 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 11

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Praboemoelih !!!

[Aurorus]

In the central corridor of the DEI, the Japanese landing at Manado the day before attracted the attention of the allies. Allied naval search had spotted another amphibious TF headed for Ternate. In the night, a Carrier Battle Group, screened by CLs, moved into the slot 250 miles south of Manado and Ternate. The Japanese admirals were expecting the Hermes to take this position, and the Manado amphibious group had withdrawn. The Ternate Group was covered by a heavy Cruiser screen and fighters from a Japanese light CV group stationed to the north. The attack came in the morning, but it was not the Hermes air group.

Hudsons came in first at low altitude over the heavy cruisers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 12

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hudson I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Hudson I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Then the call came out from Japanese spotters... Dive Bombers... Dive bombers? A US CVTF has arrived in the DEI. They proved capable enough to hit merchant ships, but they are still not practiced enough to be completely effective against warships. They did manage a hit on the Atago amidships and a DD.


Morning Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Awata Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
CA Chokai
DD Umikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Jintsu
DD Nowaki
CL Isuzu

It has been a tough war for Dutch tankers and Japanese AMCs. In the afternoon, Halsey, or whoever is in charge of the CVTF launched a followup strike, and the US pilot recorded two hits on the CL Isuzu.



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 17

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chokai
CA Takao
CA Atago

The strikes were launched at long range: 6 hexes. The Japanese CVE TF was stationed 2 hexes further north and out of range of the US naval bombers.

[Aurorus]

In Malaysia, the Japanese reinforced the position of 5th recon at Georgetown and attacked, overwhelming the defenders. The battered 15th Indian brigade again managed to retreat under cover of the SSVF battalion.

Ground combat at Georgetown (49,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4404 troops, 8 guns, 180 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

Defending force 1685 troops, 16 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 109

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Georgetown !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1226 casualties reported
Squads: 87 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 90 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
25th Army

Defending units:
3rd SSVF Battalion
15th Indian Brigade
Penang Fortress

[Aurorus]

On Luzon, the final elements of the 4th regiment arrived at Lucena, and the Japanese launched an attack, supported by Betties and Anns. The 51st PA division proved much less resilient than the 15th Indian brigade.

Ground combat at Lucena (79,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5517 troops, 25 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Defending force 2649 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

Japanese adjusted assault: 192

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 38 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lucena !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2966 casualties reported
Squads: 167 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 165 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
4th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
51st PA Infantry Division

[Aurorus]

Manado fell as well.


Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4096 troops, 40 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Defending force 1675 troops, 2 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

Japanese adjusted assault: 87

Allied adjusted defense: 21

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
667 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Kure 2nd SNLF
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
3rd JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Manado Base Force

Japanese forces also advanced on Clark Field and established positions in artillery range of the airfield, and aerial and artillery bombardments at Manila continued.

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

In the central corridor of the DEI, the Japanese landing at Manado the day before attracted the attention of the allies. Allied naval search had spotted another amphibious TF headed for Ternate. In the night, a Carrier Battle Group, screened by CLs, moved into the slot 250 miles south of Manado and Ternate. The Japanese admirals were expecting the Hermes to take this position, and the Manado amphibious group had withdrawn. The Ternate Group was covered by a heavy Cruiser screen and fighters from a Japanese light CV group stationed to the north. The attack came in the morning, but it was not the Hermes air group.

Hudsons came in first at low altitude over the heavy cruisers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 12

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hudson I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Hudson I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Then the call came out from Japanese spotters... Dive Bombers... Dive bombers? A US CVTF has arrived in the DEI. They proved capable enough to hit merchant ships, but they are still not practiced enough to be completely effective against warships. They did manage a hit on the Atago amidships and a DD.


Morning Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Awata Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
CA Chokai
DD Umikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Jintsu
DD Nowaki
CL Isuzu

It has been a tough war for Dutch tankers and Japanese AMCs. In the afternoon, Halsey, or whoever is in charge of the CVTF launched a followup strike, and the US pilot recorded two hits on the CL Isuzu.



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 17

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chokai
CA Takao
CA Atago

The strikes were launched at long range: 6 hexes. The Japanese CVE TF was stationed 2 hexes further north and out of range of the US naval bombers.

Listen Bobo is playing really very well, aggressively and realistically even for having reinforced Dutch Indies with relevant american and British air assetts....well, except for the fact he stripped his 2 CVs of their groups.

BTW, 4000 feet is not low altitude. He should have tried it though, luckily for you he had not.

At least, the Argentines scored some hits on the British CVLs at Malvina... the bombs did not explode, however.

No. hits were on destroyers, frigates, one container conveyor, and on a small Landin ship, but not on the "CVLs" (that would have been tragic for the British), that have not been targeted ever. So, some of the bombs - and surface missiles - exploded; yes, luckily for the British most of bombs did not, otherwise that would have been the greatest naval disaster in the entire history of the RN.[X(]

Regarding Bobo's disatrous strike on Sinkiang: the only rational explanation for his choice to send his few and vulnerable bombers against the wary Zeroes is that he may have received intel about the transport planes, correctly interpreted their presence and scope and disperately done something to prevent or disrupt the air assault.
He's so aggressive...just that in this instance he really exaggerated.

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner


Regarding Bobo's disatrous strike on Sinkiang: the only rational explanation for his choice to send his few and vulnerable bombers against the wary Zeroes is that he may have received intel about the transport planes, correctly interpreted their presence and scope and disperately done something to prevent or disrupt the air assault.
He's so aggressive...just that in this instance he really exaggerated.

He is playing very, very well in my opinion. The airfield raid on Singkawang was not as reckless or fruitless as it appears. As I say, he had been bombing at night, so he was probably gambling that I had diverted some CAP to night. Zeros have swept Singapore for 3 days, and he has not flown his Buffalos the last two days. So, if he wants to use Singapore's air, he must make a choice... fly Buffalos against Zeros, or try to even the odds a bit by pinning some Zeros on the ground and giving his Buffalos a numbers advantage. He opted for the latter route, and I cannot say that I would not have tried something similar in his position, knowing that I would lose bombers, but hoping to take some pressure off the Buffalos.

As it happens, he did disable a number of transports at Singkawang, which will use up aviation support and runway space for a time at Singkawang. Not entirely unsatisfactory as it is a key airfield and this is a key moment.

[821Bobo]

He is playing very, very well in my opinion. The airfield raid on Singkawang was not as reckless or fruitless as it appears. As I say, he had been bombing at night, so he was probably gambling that I had diverted some CAP to night. Zeros have swept Singapore for 3 days, and he has not flown his Buffalos the last two days. So, if he wants to use Singapore's air, he must make a choice... fly Buffalos against Zeros, or try to even the odds a bit by pinning some Zeros on the ground and giving his Buffalos a numbers advantage. He opted for the latter route, and I cannot say that I would not have tried something similar in his position, knowing that I would lose bombers, but hoping to take some pressure off the Buffalos.

As it happens, he did disable a number of transports at Singkawang, which will use up aviation support and runway space for a time at Singkawang. Not entirely unsatisfactory as it is a key airfield and this is a key moment.

Just came from the pub(4+AM here.) Buffalos can't match Zeros(well give me P-40 and I will dance with Zero until he will commit suicide) therefore there is no chance to gain air superiority over Singers or doing anything fancy with the bombers unless you catch enemy by surprise. However as David pointed out I had to make a choice and I lost few bombers. Worse things happen at sea.
I am more concerned about Lex's Squads, I've been expecting better results at Ternate.

PS You can ignore this comment, 4 Promille at leat

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Dec. 20th 821Bobo had sent in a few night raids on the airfield at Singkawang. Today he decided to change it up a bit and bring his 2 engines from Singapore in the daylight. Zeros were on station and took a toll on the RAF, but the Hudsons and Blenheims did hit the airfield and found Thalias?


Morning Air attack on Singkawang , at 56,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Blenheim IV x 3
Hudson I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson I bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim I bombing from 9000 feet *

Morning Air attack on Singkawang , at 56,88

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 6 destroyed

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

What were the airfields at Singkawang doing filled with transport planes? Loading paratroopers for a drop at Praboemoelih. Where is Praboemoelih, you ask? It is the base adjacent to Palembang, on the railline between Palembang and Oosthaven.

Ground combat at Praboemoelih (48,92)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 661 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 11

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Praboemoelih !!!

Listen, what kind of game are you playing? I mean what version.

At first, I had not realized that this was a night strike.

in light of this, Bobo's decision was brilliant, audacious, in full spirit of British warlike, aggressive and imaginative attitude, 1000 kudos (just, why at 9000 feet altitude and not 4 or 3 k?).

(Night German night airport strike - found on the net by chance. Good weather though over the objective. And low altitude..
http://57thbombwing.com/hetzel/Alesani_raid_US.pdf [:'(]


just: 12 bombers (40% casualties...) downed and destroyed? By night? In Thunderstorms ? what game are you playing? what version, what mod?
night googles for the Japanese pilots?

"Raid spotted at 36 NM" good achievement without radar. Japanes sound detectors - if present at Singkawang airodrome -are so refined they can discern between thunders and Bristol Mercury engines roars [:'(]